Old townSant Nicolau church & the Nucli Antic
Wander the pedestrian Carrer del Carme through Malgrat's old town to the parish church of Sant Nicolau, then browse the plaças and independent shops of the historic centre.
Malgrat de Mar, Spain
Catalan old town at the edge of the Costa Brava · Flights from Canada
4.6 · 1,200+ Costa del Maresme city breaks booked by Canadians
City Break · Flights Included
Vacation Packages to Malgrat de Mar
Flight + hotel city breaks with return flights from Canada to Girona (GRO). Prices are illustrative 'from' pricing per person and confirmed live at checkout.
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At a glance
Everything you need to know about Malgrat de Mar
Malgrat de Mar is the northernmost town of the Maresme, sitting right where Catalonia's Costa del Maresme meets the Costa Brava at the mouth of the Tordera river. Its walkable centre wraps around a compact old town — the Nucli Antic — where pedestrian streets like Carrer del Carme lead to the parish church of Sant Nicolau and a Thursday market that fills the plaças. Above the town, the terraced gardens and viewpoints of Parc Francesc Macià climb a wooded hill for a panorama over the coast and the Tordera delta. Best of all, Malgrat has its own station on the Rodalies R1 line, so central Barcelona is a straightforward train ride away — making the town an easy, well-priced base for a Catalan city break.
Malgrat de Mar, SpainClimate
Climate
Mediterranean · warm summers, mild winters
JanDec
PeakShoulderAvoid
Hot 28°C summers, gentle spring and autumn, and mild winters that rarely dip below 10°C.
Currency
Euro (EUR)
1 CAD ≈ 0.68 EUR · cards accepted almost everywhere
Language
Catalan & Spanish
Both are official; English is widely understood in tourist areas
Entry
Visa-free
Schengen — up to 90 days for Canadians
Top Experiences in Malgrat de Mar
Old town
ViewpointParc Francesc Macià & the hilltop gardens
Climb the terraced Mediterranean gardens of Parc Francesc Macià to the town's hilltop viewpoints for a sweeping panorama over the rooftops, the coast, and the Tordera river delta.
Food & nightlifeThe Thursday market, tapas & the evening rambla
Graze the weekly Thursday market and the old-town tapas bars, sip a local vermut, then join the nightly stroll along the central streets and the Passeig Marítim promenade.
Essential info for Canadian travellers
Passport: A Canadian passport valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area is required.
Visa & ETIAS: Canadians can visit Spain visa-free for up to 90 days. A new ETIAS travel authorization is expected to become mandatory — confirm before you book.
Travel insurance: Provincial health plans don't cover care in Spain. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Power & plugs: Spain uses 230V/50Hz with Type C and F plugs — bring a plug adapter and check that your devices are dual-voltage.
Time zone: Malgrat de Mar runs on Central European Time (CET) — six hours ahead of Toronto.
Best time to visit Malgrat de Mar
Apr – JunShoulder season
Warm, comfortable days and thinner crowds — ideal for the hilltop parks and day trips.
Jul – AugPeak season
Hottest and liveliest, with the Festa Major de Santa Anna and summer street events. Busiest and priciest.
Sep – OctShoulder season
Balmy early autumn and a relaxed pace, with warm days lingering into October — arguably the sweet spot.
Nov – MarLow season
Mild but quiet; some seasonal venues close, though Barcelona day trips stay easy year-round.
Where to stay
Malgrat de Mar neighbourhoods
Malgrat de Mar is compact enough to explore on foot, and the R1 train station sits right in town. Here's how to choose the right base for your stay.
Nucli Antic
Old town
The pedestrian old-town core around Carrer del Carme and Sant Nicolau church, packed with tapas bars, independent shops, and the weekly market.
Best for
- First-timers
- Foodies
- Walkability
Passeig Marítim
Seafront promenade
The palm-lined seafront promenade where many hotels sit close to the water, the sunset views, and the relaxed evening stroll.
Best for
- Sea views
- Couples
- Relaxed evenings
Parc Francesc Macià
Hilltop gardens
The wooded hill above town, laced with terraced Mediterranean gardens, shaded paths, and viewpoints over the coast and Tordera delta.
Best for
- Walkers
- Views
- Peace & quiet
L'Estació
Around the R1 station
The calm, well-priced streets around Malgrat's train station — the most convenient base for day trips to Barcelona, Girona, and the Costa Brava.
Best for
- Value
- Day-trippers
- Quiet stays
Beyond the town
Day trips & excursions from Malgrat de Mar
Malgrat's own train station and coastal roads make it a superb base for Barcelona and the Costa Brava. Every excursion below can be booked through ShopTravel or your hotel reception.
Catalan CapitalBarcelona by Train
Full day · self-guided~65 km southwest · ~1h25 by R1 train
Ride the Rodalies R1 line straight from Malgrat de Mar station to central Barcelona for the Sagrada Família, the Gothic Quarter, and Las Ramblas.
Insider tips
- Buy a return ticket at the station machine
- Trains hug the coast — sit on the sea side
Medieval CityGirona's Old Town & Onyar Houses
Full day · 8 hrs~40 km north · ~45 min by coach
Explore Girona's colourful riverfront houses, Gothic cathedral steps, and Game-of-Thrones filming locations in the walled old quarter.
Insider tips
- Walk the medieval city walls for the best views
- Combine with the airport on arrival or departure day
Costa Brava GatewayBlanes & the Marimurtra Botanical Garden
Half day · 4 hrs~6 km north · ~15 min by road
Cross the Tordera river to Blanes, the gateway to the Costa Brava, and wander the clifftop Marimurtra Botanical Garden with its Mediterranean plant collections and sea views.
Insider tips
- Time your visit for the greenhouse viewpoint over the coast
- Pair it with the Blanes old-town harbour for lunch
Art & SurrealismFigueres & the Dalí Theatre-Museum
Full day · 9 hrs~75 km north · ~1h20 by coach
Visit Salvador Dalí's extraordinary self-designed museum in his hometown of Figueres, one of the most-visited galleries in Spain.
Insider tips
- Pre-book timed museum entry in summer
- Pair it with a stop in Girona on the way
● Limited availability — book now
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Good to know
Malgrat de Mar travel FAQ
Everything Canadian travellers ask before booking
Do Canadians need a visa for Spain?
No. Canadians can visit Spain and the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days. A new ETIAS travel authorization is expected to become required, so check the latest rules before you fly.
How do I get from Girona airport to Malgrat de Mar?
Girona–Costa Brava (GRO) is about 35 km from Malgrat de Mar. Most packages include a transfer; otherwise a coach or private transfer takes roughly 35–40 minutes. Barcelona (BCN) is a nearby alternative gateway.
How far is Malgrat de Mar from Barcelona?
About 65 km. The Rodalies R1 commuter train runs from Malgrat de Mar's own station into central Barcelona in around 1h25, making day trips effortless.
When is the best time to visit Malgrat de Mar?
Late spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) offer warm weather and thinner crowds. July and August are hottest and liveliest but busiest and priciest.
What language do people speak in Malgrat de Mar?
Both Catalan and Spanish are official in Catalonia. English is widely understood in hotels, restaurants, and shops in the tourist areas.
What currency does Malgrat de Mar use?
The Euro (EUR). Contactless cards are accepted almost everywhere, but carry a little cash for the Thursday market, small cafés, and tips.
How easy is it to get around Malgrat de Mar?
Very easy. The town centre and old town are compact and walkable, the R1 train links the coast to Barcelona, and coaches serve Girona and the Costa Brava. You won't need a car.
Are the package prices guaranteed fares?
The 'from' prices shown are illustrative starting points per person for flight + hotel city breaks. Your exact fare is confirmed live at checkout based on your travel dates, gateway, and hotel.